DnD Outlander: Mastering the Wilds in Dungeons & Dragons 5e

In Dungeons & Dragons 5e, the DnD Outlander background offers players the chance to embody a rugged survivalist who has spent years navigating the harshest environments. Whether your character was raised in the deep woods, among towering mountains, or in an arid desert, the Outlander’s skills make them a master of the wild. This background is perfect for those who want to play an explorer, hunter, or tribal warrior, with abilities that emphasize survival, foraging, and navigation.

With unique roleplaying opportunities, mechanical benefits, and a deep connection to nature, the Outlander background is a compelling choice for adventurers seeking to thrive beyond the walls of civilization. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the DnD Outlander, including its features, ideal class pairings, roleplaying tips, and more.

DnD Outlander Background Features and Mechanics

The Outlander background provides a powerful set of features that reflect a character’s self-sufficiency and knowledge of the wilderness. Understanding these mechanics is essential for maximizing your character’s potential.

Feature: Wanderer

The defining feature of the Outlander is Wanderer, which grants an incredible sense of direction and memory for geography. This means your character can always recall general layouts of terrain, settlements, and other natural features, making them invaluable for wilderness travel. Additionally, they can find food and fresh water for themselves and up to five others each day, ensuring the party never goes hungry in natural environments.

Skill Proficiencies and Equipment

The Outlander background provides proficiency in Athletics and Survival, making the character physically capable and skilled in wilderness survival. They also receive an extra language, an essential tool for roleplaying encounters with remote tribes or ancient cultures. Additionally, they start with a hunting trap, a staff, a trophy from a hunted beast, and traveler’s clothes, reinforcing their rugged persona.

Best Classes and Builds for the Outlander Background

While any class can benefit from the Outlander’s abilities, some naturally align better with this background’s wilderness expertise.

Best Class Choices

• Ranger: The Outlander background and the Ranger class go hand-in-hand, both emphasizing survival, tracking, and exploration. Rangers can enhance their survivalist role with spells like Goodberry and Pass Without Trace.
• Barbarian: A Barbarian with the Outlander background can be a true force of nature, embodying a tribal warrior archetype. Their physical prowess and survival skills create a compelling story of a nomadic warrior.
• Druid: The Outlander’s deep connection to the land fits well with Druids, especially those from the Circle of the Land or Circle of the Moon. They can enhance their self-sufficiency with spells like Create Water and Speak with Animals.
• Monk: A Way of the Open Hand Monk with an Outlander background can represent a hermit who has lived in the wilds, honing their body and spirit far from civilization.

Optimizing the Build

When building an Outlander character, prioritize Wisdom and Strength/Dexterity, depending on your class. This will improve both survival skills and combat effectiveness. Consider selecting races like Wood Elf, Firbolg, or Goliath, as their natural traits align well with an Outlander’s wilderness expertise.

Roleplaying an Outlander: Story Hooks and Personality Traits

One of the most exciting aspects of choosing the Outlander background is the rich storytelling potential it offers.

Story Hooks and Backstory Ideas

• Lost Tribe Member: Your character was part of a secluded tribe that was wiped out or displaced, leaving them to navigate an unfamiliar world.
• Exiled Wanderer: Banished from their homeland, they must survive alone, relying on their instincts and resilience.
• Beast Whisperer: Raised among animals rather than humans, your character possesses an uncanny connection to the natural world.
• Cursed Survivor: The lone survivor of an expedition that went terribly wrong, haunted by the spirits of their fallen comrades.

Personality Traits

When roleplaying an Outlander, consider the following traits:

• Speaks in short, direct sentences, unused to the flowery speech of civilization.
• Feels restless in cities and towns, always longing for open skies.
• Treats their weapons, gear, or animal companion with deep reverence.
• Has unusual customs or rituals from their time in isolation.

How the Outlander Background Affects Gameplay

The Outlander background shapes how a character interacts with the world, especially in wilderness settings.

Survival in the Wild

Thanks to their Wanderer feature, Outlanders excel in natural environments, allowing their party to travel without worrying about food and water. This is especially useful in campaigns that involve exploration, such as jungle adventures or desert treks.

Interactions in Civilized Areas

In cities, Outlanders may struggle with social norms and etiquette, leading to amusing or dramatic roleplaying moments. However, their exotic stories and skills may earn them respect or fascination among urban dwellers, providing unique opportunities for roleplay.

Homebrew and Variants for the Outlander Background

For players looking to customize their Outlander, consider homebrew variants that better fit specific campaign settings.

Alternative Features

• Deep Tracker: Instead of the Wanderer feature, gain an enhanced ability to track creatures, including knowledge of their numbers and how long ago they passed.
• Spiritual Guide: Replace foraging abilities with the ability to commune with nature spirits for guidance and omens.

Expanding Equipment and Proficiencies

• Swap Survival for Stealth if playing a stealthy scout.
• Replace the trophy with a sacred artifact from their homeland for added story depth.

Conclusion

The DnD Outlander background provides an immersive, mechanically useful, and deeply flavorful way to play a character who thrives in the wilds. Whether you’re a hardened warrior, a wise druid, or a lone wanderer with a mysterious past, the Outlander ensures a unique gameplay experience. Embrace the wilderness, chart the unknown, and let your legend grow beyond the reach of civilization!

FAQs About the DnD Outlander Background

1. Can an Outlander find food in any environment?
   • Yes, but only in natural settings. It doesn’t work in barren wastelands or magical realms devoid of food sources.
2. Does the Outlander background give proficiency in Nature?
   • No, it grants proficiency in Athletics and Survival, but Nature can be learned separately.
3. Can an Outlander navigate magically obscured terrain?
   • The Wanderer feature doesn’t overcome magical obfuscation unless stated by the DM.
4. What classes work best with Outlander?
   • Rangers, Barbarians, Druids, and Monks benefit the most.
5. Can an Outlander track creatures better than other backgrounds?
   • While not explicitly stated, their Survival proficiency helps with tracking.
6. Does the Outlander background affect starting wealth?
   • No, wealth is determined separately based on class.
7. Can Outlanders forage in dungeons?
   • Only if the dungeon contains natural resources like mushrooms or water sources.
8. Does the Outlander feature work in the Underdark?
   • Yes, as long as there are natural resources available.
9. Can an Outlander train animals?
   • Not inherently, but they can learn Animal Handling as a skill.
10. Is the Outlander background good for beginners?

• Yes! It provides useful survival skills and a simple but rich roleplaying foundation.